I visited Brogborough Lake this morning - close to home but in neighbouring Bedfordshire.
It was about 60% frozen over with a large area of water still open.
It was on here amongst the many Coots, Tufted Ducks and Pochard plus several Goldeneye, Little and Great crested Grebes that I located 5 Red-crested Pochards including 2 males.
Then scanning around the reed beds 2 Bitterns were seen walking out on the ice, obviously struggling for food. These dissappeared and then another 2 came out - not sure if these were the same ones or another 2 ( up to 5 have been reported recently.)
Back out on the open water the juvenile Great Northern Diver that has been present for a few weeks was seen several times, as was a female Scaup.
I decided to come home via Kempston Wood End to check to see if a regular Tawny Owl was in in it's usual tree in Kempston Wood. It was, and it watched me while I spied it for a minute or so before leaving it to carry on dozing.
Not been to Brogborough Lake before. Have to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteIt's very good Keith, especially while its mainly frozen over. Unfortunately everything is a long way off.
ReplyDelete2 drake Smew at Stewartby lake today which is just down the road.